Page 26 of A Scandal Before Christmas
“Indeed, my dear.” Theodore’s eyes held a devilish glint. “He’s determined to court you, it seems. Shall I allow him to enter? Or should I stay otherwise engaged?” His fingers flexed experimentally, and Lauren melted with a gasp. But the delight was short-lived. He was already withdrawing from her. Rolling from the bed, he stood beside it and gave her a fierce frown.
“Lady Lauren? I know you are there…” Sanderson’s insistent voice sliced the air between them. He knocked again, three sharp raps.
“It is men like him your father wished to shield you against.” Theodore waved a hand toward the door. “Brash, unthinking, selfish, greedy.”
“As were you,” Lauren said, sitting up and drawing the tattered edges of her clothing together. The robe, still intact but just as flimsy and delicate as the nightdress, was hurriedly wrapped tightly around her body. “Yet, my father handed me over without a moment’s hesitation.”
Theodore’s eyes narrowed, his gaze almost silver in the shadows. “Yes. He did, and I accepted that gift and responsibility.”
“Lady Lauren?” Sanderson sounded almost plaintive. “I’m merely checking on your wellbeing.”
Ignoring the man on the other side of the thick, wooden door, Lauren rose up on her knees upon the mattress. Rather shakily, she reached for Theodore’s hand. “What would you do differently now? If given the chance?”
Theodore swallowed hard. His eyes pinned her, gleaming in the shadows of the room. “It’s a conversation for another time.”
Lauren rubbed her thumb over the back of Theodore’s hand. “My father had much to do with my state of unhappiness, I’m afraid. I am only now discovering it is impossible to lay everything at your feet.” Looking up, she saw an expression of heartbreak mar his features. She wanted to fold him into her arms. Forgive him for the many nights she cried, her heart breaking because she thought he’d meant to use her.
“You may place anything you desire into my care, Lauren. Even yourself.” Theodore breathed. “I will always handle you as though you are crafted of the finest porcelain. Do you not understand yet that you are my most precious treasure?”
Sanderson pounded again and incredibly, tried the doorknob. It jiggled with a soft clinking sound as the lock was tested.
“I thought I might keep you company, my dear,” the man declared, his voice muffled by the oak door. “Or I could be of assistance in massaging your temples should your headache still persist. I’m quite good with my hands. Won’t you let me in?”
Theodore gave Lauren a look filled with astonished fury. “I will break every bone in his body if he dares touch you.”
Lauren grimaced, bounding off the bed before he could stop her. “That’s hardly a sentiment in keeping with the Christmas spirit, Theo,” she exclaimed over her shoulder while moving toward the door. “One moment, while I make matters clear to Lord Sanderson.”
“Lauren, don’t open that door.”
In response, she stuck her tongue out then sidestepped him with a giggle when he lunged for her. Guessing he might make a second attempt, she dashed across the room, nimbly evading capture while Theodore swore under his breath.
She flung open the door. With a scant second to spare, Theodore removed himself from Sanderson’s line of sight, his hands and teeth clenched, ready to tear the other gentleman limb from limb.
Sanderson noticeably gulped at the vision of loveliness before him. For a long moment, it seemed he could not speak. His gaze roamed over Lauren, taking in the wealth of unbound hair, her flushed cheeks, and the mussed condition of her garments.
Lauren’s eyebrow arched in what she hoped was a haughty expression of displeasure. “You disturb my rest, sir.”
“I—uh—I hoped to assist,” he stuttered. His eyes fixed on her bosom, partly exposed where the robe gaped. The gown beneath and its ragged edges, torn by Theodore’s eager hands, peeked through.
Abruptly mindful of her scandalous appearance, Lauren frowned and gripped the flimsy robe closer to her chest. Perhaps she should have considered this before confronting the very persistent Sanderson.
“It is completely unnecessary. Please do not bother yourself on my behalf any further.” She made to close the door. “Goodnight.”
Shaking himself from his trance, Sanderson grabbed the edge of the door with his hand. His foot wedged in the opening. “It would be of mutual benefit, I assure you. And pleasure.”
A strangled growl emanated from somewhere deeper in the room.
Lauren covered the unmistakable sound with a clearing of her throat. “You flatter me; however, this behavior is the height of impropriety, Lord Sanderson. You must go.”
“But I…” Inexplicably, his sentence trailed off.
Lauren puzzled over that until it became glaringly apparent. A jolt of horror rocked her. Sanderson had spied the gentleman’s coat tossed haphazardly over the chair. His gaze fixed upon it.
Stunned silence ruled for a moment. Lauren held her breath for what felt like an eternity before Sanderson eased his foot away. “Do forgive me, Lady Lauren. It is my wish you are feeling much improved tomorrow.” Removing his hand from the door’s edge, he gave a stiff bow.
“I’m sure I will. Good night, my lord.”
“Yes, erm, goodnight.” The man hurriedly stepped back, practically fleeing down the hall.
